Starbucks North America CEO Michael Conway is stepping down after just 6 months on the job

In a surprising move, Michael Conway, Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) CEO for North America, has stepped down after just six months in the role.

What happened: Conway, who took over in April, informed the company of his decision last week, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. He will remain with the company until Nov. 30 to help with the leadership transition, ending his 11-year tenure at Starbucks, Business Insider reported Tuesday.

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Prior to his role as North American CEO, Conway was group president of international and channel development and president of Starbucks Canada. His appointment was part of a reorganization effort by the former CEO Laxman NarasimhanBloomberg noted in March.

Instead of naming a new CEO for North America, Starbucks announced this Sarah Trillingthe company’s North American president, will oversee retail operations in the region. Trilling has been with Starbucks for 22 years and previously managed 3,500 stores as senior vice president of its northern division.

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The company aims to increase decision-making efficiency by streamlining its management structure, The Wall Street Journal reported. Conway’s departure follows other significant leadership changes, including his recent appointment Brian Niccolformer CEO of Chipotle as the new CEO of Starbucks.

Operational challenges have plagued Starbucks stores in North America, with complex beverage orders, rising prices and variable foot traffic affecting staffing and profitability. Niccol plans to revamp operations and focus on customer experience, he said last week.

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Why it matters: This leadership change comes amid a series of strategic changes at Starbucks. In March, the company announced a new geographic leadership structure to support global functions, naming Conway as CEO of North America to lead the initiative.

In August, his appointment Brian Niccol as the new CEO boosted Starbucks’ valuation by over $15 billion in a single day. Niccol, known for his successful tenure at Chipotle, aims to lead Starbucks through its current challenges and improve the customer experience.

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On his second day as CEO, Niccol outlined his vision to reconnect Starbucks with its roots as a community coffee shop. He emphasized the need for comfortable seating and a clear distinction between on-the-go and on-the-go services to improve the in-store experience.

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Image by Şahin Sezer Dinçer from Pixabay.

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This article Starbucks North America CEO Michael Conway steps down after just 6 months on the job originally appeared on Benzinga.com